Convertible folding-machine for inserts and onserts.



H. A. W. WOOD.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING MACHINE FOR INSERTS AND ONSERTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. l, I910. RENEWED DEC- 20,1915- 1.,191,261.

Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l fiwiflbr. 4 /767 4 @1070? gram/290' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1. I9IO. RENEWED DEC. 20,1915.

Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.55 55 Eva/77hr.-

%7/y/1.Fare7000. qr a/rb/wgw H. A. W. WOOD.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING MACHINE FOR INSERTS AND ONSERTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- I, I9IO- RENEWED DEC. 20.19I5.

Patented July 18, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Wet/766563 UNITED T TES PATENT oFmoE.

HENRY A. WISE WOOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WOOD NEWSPAPER MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- TION OF VIRGINIA.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING-MACHINE FOR INSERTS AND ONSERTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1916.

Application filed October 1, 1910, Serial No. 584,795. Renewed December 20, 1915. Serial No. 67,950.

together, cutting and folding them, to provide means whereby a web can be led through the mechanism in either one of two ways, accompanied by a series. of additional sheets so that the latter will be applied to the main web-either in the form of inserts or onserts; to provide a folding cylinder with reversible means for engaging and holding the sheets so that said cylinder can be rotated in either direction; to provide for changing the folding mechanism so as to allow either of these actions to take place and to provide practicable cutting means for cooperating with the reversible folding cylinder.

The invention also involves improvements in details of construction as will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in Which Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of a portion of a web printing press showing a preferred form of this invention. Fig. 2 is a. fragmentary similar view showing the parts in position for rotation in the opposite direction. Fig. 3 is a plan of the pin bar. Fig. 3 is a plan of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view of a portion of the foldingfcylinder of Fig. 4: showing the parts reversed for rotation in the opposite direction. Fig. 6. is a plan of a portion of the folding cylinder shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Fig. 7 is an end view of a portion of the folding cylinder'showing a modification of the folding mechanism. Fig. 8 is a plan thereof. Fig. 9is an end viewof tapes passing over tape rollers 11.

a folding cylinder showing another modification, and Fig. 10 is av plan of the same.

In my companion application for patent on a machine for making magazines and the like filed on the 7th day of September 1910, Serial No. 580,870, I have shown among other things an arrangement by which the web from the press can be brought up to a when it rotates in the other. 'This invention relates to the same ideas and includes what is shown for this purpose in the said application, but the specific forms of the invention illustrated and described herein are designed more particularly to secure these results by means of simpler mechani'sm.

In the form shown in the first three figures, the web with the insert or onsert, as the case may be, is drawn in through guides 10 and brought to a collecting deviceTlpy 1e guides are located on both'sides of the web and diverge therefrom so as partly to embrace the folding, cylinder 12. In order to guide the web to the desired side of the cylinder a reversible switch 13 is employed. On opposite sides of the web the machine is provided with a pair of hearings or supports (not shown) for a rod 14 on which the switch is mounted. In this way the switch can be reversed from the position shown in full lines to that indicated in part by dotted more knives 17 and with a corresponding web is led around to the right as shown in Fig. 1, the cutting cylinder 15 is brought into contact with the folding cylinder and when it is led around to the left the cutting cylinder 16 is brought into operation. In either case the knife blade 17 will register with slots 20 on the folding cylinder as set forth in said application. If the folding cylinder is twice the diameter of the cutting cylinder there are two of these slots to each knife on the cutting cylinder. The sheets having been severed from the web by the blade 17 of the cutting cylinder 15, the pins carry the sheet around with the cylinder and impose it upon the following sheets, when the sheets are to be collected. In the form shown the pins are operated by mechanism 19, which is well'known in this art, provided to pull them into the cylinder to free them from the sheets when they are to be returned to the folding cylinder 12. In this way the cutting cylinder can be used simply as a cutting cylinder to out each sheet and allow the same to be carried around on' the folding cylinder, or it can be used as a cutting and collecting cylinder to collect any desired number of sheets upon itself and then transfer them back to the folding cylinder. This latter of course is well understood in this art.

The folding cylinder 12 is provided with a series of pins 21 twice as great in number in the present instance as the pins 18 for carrying the sheets around to be folded. These pins are shown as pivotally connected I with bell-cranks 22 or the like which are operated by cams and rolls, not illustrated here as they are well understood in this art. The pins are mounted on bars 23 which in this case also contain the slots 20. These bars are adapted to be removed and turned around end for end. In that case the slots are brought on the other side of the pins and each pin is again connected with its bellcrank.. For this purpose each bell-crank is provided with an elongated slot for connection with the pins. Fig. 2 shows the position i of the parts when reversed in this way.

With this reversal it will be seen that the folding cylinder is adapted to rotate in the opposite direction and in this case the cutting cylinder 15 is drawn back out of the way and the cylinder 16 brought up into contact with the folding cylinder 12 as has been stated. This foldin cylinder also is shown as having folding %lades 26, divided into sections one for each of said bars and associating mechanism. It will be observed that there are two shafts 27, with folding blades, located near each other on each side of the folding cylinder. When the direction of rotation of the c linder is to be reversed rendered inoperative as will appear below to be mounted on either of the folding operation of the ins in and the previousl idle ones are operated. The shafts are he d by a locking device 28 against accidental turnin when not being operated. The delivery 0 the folded sheets or signatures from the folding cylinder to the rolls 30 is facilitated by the use of guides 31 and 32 which receive them, no matter which way the cylinder rot-ates. The folding blades are operated by levers 29 adapted blade shafts 27. The levers are shown in Fig. 1 as on the shafts where they are placed when the machine is to be run for the application of onserts to the signature. When the machine is to be run in the other direction to apply an insert these levers are taken off and placed on the other folding blade shafts. Each of these levers is provided with a pair of rollers 33 adapted to be operated by cams as is'well understood in this art. In order that the two folding blades may pass each other during their rotation on their shafts they are made with notches 34 cut'out in their edges and with L-shaped projections 35 which are adapted to pass through the notches of the blades, the blades being divided up into sections.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the folding cylinder is provided with fixed bars 40 on each of which is a removable pin bar 41 on which are fixed pins 42. In this case the ends of the pins are curved properly to impale the sheets and carry themaround on the folding cylinder. When the direction of rotation of the cylinder is to be reversed this pinbar is taken out and reversed end for end. The other mechanism does not have to be changed as the pins are stationary, when the bar is once put in osition. It will be understood of course t at the cutting cylinder has pins, not shown, for the usual purpose. In order to provide spaces for receiving the pins in the cutting cylinder the folding cylinder is provided with holes 43. Also the bar 40 is provided with two grooves 44 one on each side of the pins so that whichever way the cylinder rotates the cutting blades on the cutting cylinder will have a groove to pass into. In this case the sheets or signatures are thrown off the folding cylinder by means of throw off fingers 45, o crating radially and each operated by a bel -crank 46 or the like and cam roller 47 in a way similar to the Fi s. 1, 2 and a. As the throw off ngers wor r radially they do not have to be reversed .with the reversal of the pin bar. In this form the same or any of the other forms of folding blades can be used.

In Figs. 7 and 8 another way is shown of arranging the folding blades for convenient reversal. This form can be used with any of the other pin bars shown. In this case the folding blade 50 is mounted on a shaft 51 which sets in a block 52. This block can be taken out bodily and moved bodily into another position indicated by a recess 53 when the cylinder is to be reversed. Spring locking bars 54 are shown in the two places for controlling the folding blades, as is well understood in this art. In the form shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the pin bar 55 is taken out and reversed, when the direction of rotation is to be changed, and the pins 56 are reversed with it. These pins, however, operate radially in this case and consequently the mechanism for operating them does not have to be reversed. This mechanism consists of an arm having a cam surface for engaging the end of the pin and provided with an arm and cam for operating it. Another spring 59 is employed for holding the pin back against the cam surface 57. It is to be observed that in all of the .forms shown the mechanism can be changed for the purpose of reversing in a very simple and convenient manner without resulting in any complicated adjustment, and that the machine is capable of performing the same operations'when reversed as when running in the normal direction.

While I have illustrated and described several preferred embodiments of the invention, I am aware that many modifications the combination with a folding device adapted to receive a product, of means for operating said device inv either direction to fold the product either side out.

2. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination with a reversible rotary folding cylinder adapted to receive a prod-' net, of means for operating said cylinder in either direction to fold the product eitherside out.

3. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the-combination of means for bringing a web and sheet together, withza folding cylinder for folding said web and sheet and means for operating said cylinder in either direction to fold the product either side out.

I. In a paper manipulating mechanism the combination with means for bringing a sheet and web together, of a reversible folding cylinder for folding said web and sheet together with either out side.

5. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination with means for superposing one product uponanother, of reversible meansfor folding said superposed products, whereby they may be folded with either product on the outside.

6. In a paper folding mechanism, the, combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a web to either side of the folding cylinder, and means on the folding cylinder for engaging thesheets and carrying them along.

7. In a paper manipulating mechanism the combination of a folding device, means for feeding inserts or onserts to the folding device, and means whereby said inserts or onserts can be fed to either side of the folding device.

8. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of a folding device, means for feeding inserts or onserts to the device, and means whereby said inserts or onserts can be fed to either side of the folding device, the said folding device being rotatable in either direction, and means for holding the sheets adapted to operate when the folding device rotates in either direction.

9. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of a folding device, means for feeding inserts or onserts to the folding device, and means whereby said inserts or onserts can be fed to either side of the folding device, the said folding device being rotatable in either direction.

10. In a paper manipulating mechanism,

the combination of a cylinderfor receiving 9 a web, means for cutting and folding the web, means for feeding sheets on the cylinderin conjunction with the web to produceinserts or onserts when the severed web is folded, and collecting means coiiperating therewith.

11. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of a cylinder for receiving a web, means for cutting and folding the web, means for feeding sheets on the cylinder in conjunction with the web, means for rotating the cylinder in either direction, and means for switching the web and sheet to either side of the cylinder to suit the rotation thereof.

12. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of a cylinder for receiving a web, means forcutting and folding the web, means for feeding sheets on the cylinder in conjunction with the web, two cutof means whereby the web can be switched to either side of the folding cylinder, so as to permit the folding cylinder to operate upon the web in either direction.

14.'In a machine of the character described, the combination with a reversible folding device adapted to receive a web, and

a coiiperating cutting and collecting device, of means whereby theweb can be sent through the foldin cutting, and collecting devices in either firection so as to be delivered either side out.

15. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of reversible means for superposing a sheet upon a web, means for cutting the web, means for collecting the products, and means for delivering them together.

16. In a paper manipulating mechanism, the combination of means for collecting webs and sheets superposed one upon another, means for cutting the webs, means for gathering the products together, means for delivering the same, and means whereby the webs and sheets may be passed through the machine in either direction, so that the sheets may be left on either side of the web.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with folding means for receiving a paper product adapted to operate in either direction, of cutting means arranged on each of the two sides thereof, and means for bringing either of said cutting means into operative relation to the folding means.

18. In a device ofthe character described, the combination with a reversible rotatable folding cylinder, of a cutting cylinder arranged at each of its two sides, andmeans whereby either of said cutting cylinders may be brought into contact with said folding cylinder.

19. In a device for receiving a paper product, the combination with folding means adapted to operate in either direction, of cutting means arranged on eachof the two sides thereof, and collecting means arranged on each of said sides, and adapted to transfer the collected product back on the folding means.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination with a reversible rotatable folding cylinder, of a collecting cylinder arranged at each of its two sides.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination with a reversible rotatable folding cylinder, of a collecting cylinder arranged at each of its two sides, and means whereby either of said collecting cylinders may be brought into contact with said folding cylinder. I

22. In a device of the, character described, the combination with a folding cylinder and two cutting and collecting cylinders on opposite sides thereof, of means for leading a web to the folding cylinder, said means being capable of directing the web to either side of the folding cylinder and between it and either cutting and collecting cylinder.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination with a folding cylinder capable of'rotation in either direction, of a switch for directing the web thereto, said switch comprising a body having an ex-. tension projecting to one side and co-acting with the cylinder to guide the web thereon,

said body and extension being reversible to guide the web to either side of the cylinder.

24. In a paper folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder capable of rotation in either direction, of a pair of guides extending to opposite sides of said cylinder and spaced therefrom, and a switch adapted to be reversed so as to cooperate with either of said guides, and having a projection extending between one of the guides and the cylinder.

25. In a device of the character described the combination with a folding cylinder, of a pair of guides extending to the opposite sides of said cylinder and spaced therefrom, a switch adapted to be reversed so as to cooperate with either of said guides, and a pair of cutting cylinders, one located on either side' of the folding cylinder, each adapted to be moved into contact therewith when the other is moved away from the folding cylinder.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination with a folding cylinder capable of rotation in either direction, of a pair of guides extending to the opposite sides of said cylinder and spaced therefrom, a switch adapted to be reversed so as to cooperate with either of said guides.

27. In a paper folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder, of a pair of guides extending to the opposite sides of said cylinder and spaced therefrom, a switch adapted to be reversed so as to cooperate with either of said guides, means on the folding cylinder for enga ng the paper, and means for reversing sai engaging means.

28. In a paper folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder, of a pair of guides extending to the opposite sides of said cylinder and spaced therefrom, a switch adapted to be reversed so as to cooperate with either of said guides, reversible means on the folding cylinder for engagin the sheets and holding themthereon, an reversible folding devices on said cylinder.

29. In a cutting and folding device, the combination with a foldin cylinder, and a pair of cutting cylinders a apted to engage opposite sides of the folding cylinder alternatively, of means for guidingtheweb to either side of the folding cylinder whereby it will go between it and one of the cutting cylinders, reversible means on the folding cylinder for engaging the web and carrying it around with the folding cylinder, and means on the folding cylinder operatable when the folding cylinder rotates in either direction for operating said reversible means.

30. In a paper folding mechanism, the

means for reciprocating said pins cally as the cylinder rotates.

combination with a folding cylinderrotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a web to eitherside of the folding cylinder, and reversible means on the folding cylinder for engaging the sheet-s and carrying them along, said reversible means com: prising a plurality of series of pins and periodi- 31. In a paper folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a web to either side of the folding cylinder, a plurality of series of reciprocable pins on the cylinder, means for operating said pins, and reversible supports for the pins carried by the folding cylinder.

32. In a paper folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a Web to either side of the folding cylinder, a plurality of series of reciprocable pins, means for operating said pins,

and reversible supports for the pins carried by the folding cylinder, said operating means-being adapted to beconnected with the pins both in their normal and reversed positions.

33. In a folding, and cutting mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a Web to either side of the folding cylinder, aplurality of longitudinal bars on thefolding cylinder adapted to be reversed end for end, a plurality of pins carried by each bar and adapted to be reversed therewith, and means for operating said pins in their normal and reversed positions.

34. In a folding and cutting mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, and a cutting cylinder having a cu-tter thereon, of means for guiding a web to either side of the folding cylinder, a pair of oppositely located bars on the folding cylinder, each bar being removable and replaceablein position and reversed end for end, and piercing, pins car ried by said bars, said folding cylinder being provided with a longitudinal slot, near each row of pins for receiving the cutter of the cutting cylinders.

35.- In a folding and cutting mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, of means for guiding a web to either side of the folding cylinder, reversible means on the folding cylinder for engaging the sheets and carrying them along, and folding devices carried the combination of a folding cylinder rotatable in either direction, means for guiding plurality of folding devices on the cylinder constructed and adapted to operate when the cylinder rotates in either direction.

38'. In a cutting and folding mechanism the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in both directions, of means on each side of the cylinder for cutting the web, means on the cylinder for carrying the sheets along thereon after they are cut, and a plu- -rality of folding devices on the cylinder comprising pairs of sets of folding blades, the blades of each pair being out out to allow the companion blade to pass it as it rotates.

39. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in both directions, of means on each side of the cylinder for cutting the web, means on the cylinder for carrying the sheets along thereon after they are cut, a plurality of pairs of shafts on the cylinder, a set of folding blades on each shaft, the distance between the shafts of each pair being less than the sums of the lengths of the two blades thereon, said blades being recessed at the side to enable them to pass each other.

40. In a folding device, the combination of a pair of shafts, a set of folding blades on each shaft, of such length as to over-lap each other, each blade being provided with an L-shaped projection, said projections of the two opposite blades being reversed in position whereby the foot of each projection will pass between the foot of the projection and the body of the other blade.

41. In afolding device, the combination of a cylinder adapted to rotate in either direction, and two sets of folding blades thereon, each adapted to operate when the cylinder rotates in one direction.

42. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in both directions, means on the cylinder for carrying the sheets along thereon, and a plurality of folding devices on the-cylinder comprising pairs of sets of folding blades, the blades of each pair being cut out to allow the companion blade to pass it as it rotates.

43. In a folding mechanism, the combination with a folding cylinder rotatable in both directions, of a plurality of pairs of shafts on the cylinder, a setof folding blades on each shaft, the distance between the shafts of each pair being less than the sums of the lengths of the two blades thereon, said blades being recessed at the side to enable them to pass each other.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscrlbmg F. W. How-M 

